Apparatus for the separation of at least one constituent of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption

Abstract

The gas separation apparatus comprises a flexible wall which is maintained in a placed position on an upper end of an adsorbant material; the volume between the wall and an upper dome communicates with one of inner and outer chambers on both sides of the adsorbant ( 4 ). The invention can be used to separate air components.

1. An apparatus for separating at least one component of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, comprising:
 an upper dome ( 2 ); 
 a bottom end ( 3 ); 
 generally vertically extending walls extending from the bottom end ( 3 ) to the upper dome ( 2 ) thereby enclosing a space; 
 a first vertical chamber ( 5 ) adapted and configured to receive the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a second vertical chamber ( 7 ) adapted and configured to collect a separated gas mixture; 
 at least one adsorbent mass ( 4 ) separating the first and second vertical chambers; 
 a ballast ( 10 ); 
 a generally horizontal flexible wall ( 9 ) extending underneath the ballast; 
 a skin ( 11 ) extending underneath the upper dome ( 2 ) over the ballast ( 10 ) and resting upon peripheral portions of the wall ( 9 ), the wall ( 9 ) being pressed down against an upper end of the adsorbent mass ( 4 ) by the weight of the ballast ( 10 ) and skin ( 11 ); 
 a volume between the flexible wall ( 9 ) and the dome ( 2 ); and 
 an element in fluid communication with the volume and being adapted and configured to control a pressure in the volume. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the volume is in fluid communication with one of said first and second chambers. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the element comprises a line ( 12 ) connecting said volume to the second chamber ( 7 ). 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the element comprises an aperture in the wall forming a passage ( 13 ) between said volume and the first chamber ( 5 ). 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the adsorbent mass ( 4 ) is annular; and 
 the first ( 5 ) and second ( 7 ) chambers are concentric with respect to each other. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent mass comprises at least one zeolite. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for separating at least one component of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, comprising:
 an upper dome; 
 a bottom end; 
 generally vertically extending walls extending from the bottom end to the upper dome thereby enclosing a space; 
 a first vertical chamber adapted and configured to receive the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a second vertical chamber adapted and configured to collect a separated gas mixture; 
 at least one adsorbent mass separating the first and second vertical chambers; 
 a generally horizontal flexible wall extending underneath the ballast; 
 a means for pressing, the means far pressing being adapted and configured to press the wall down against an upper end of the adsorbent mass; 
 a volume between the flexible wall and the dome; and 
 a means for controlling pressure in fluid communication with the volume and being adapted and configured to control a pressure in the volume. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said means for controlling pressure is also in fluid communication with one of said inner and outer chambers. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for separating at least one component of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, comprising:
 a generally vertically vessel comprising a bottom end, an upper dome and vessel walls extending between said bottom end and said dome thereby enclosing a space, said dome having an aperture therethrough; 
 an annular perforated shell disposed inside said space, said shell containing an adsorbent mass, outer portions of the shell and inner surfaces of the bottom end, upper dome, and vessel walls defining an outer chamber; 
 an outlet line extending into the outer chamber and being adapted and configured to collect gas separated by the adsorbent mass from the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a perforated central tube extending vertically through said shell defining an inner chamber and being adapted and configured to receive the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a generally horizontal wall extending between said vessel walls and resting upon said shell and adsorbent mass, said horizontal wall and said upper dome defining a volume; 
 a mass of solid ballast material resting upon said generally horizontal wall; and 
 an external line in fluid communication with said aperture and volume and said outlet line. 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for separating at least one component of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, comprising:
 a generally vertically vessel comprising a bottom end, an upper dome and vessel walls extending between said bottom end and said dome thereby enclosing a space; 
 an annular perforated shell disposed inside said space, said shell containing an adsorbent mass, outer portions of the shell and inner surfaces of the bottom end, upper dome, and vessel walls defining an outer chamber; 
 an outlet line extending into the outer chamber and being adapted and configured to collect gas separated by the adsorbent mass from the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a perforated central tube extending vertically through said shell defining an inner chamber and being adapted and configured to receive the gas mixture to be separated; 
 a generally horizontal wall extending between said vessel walls and resting upon said shell and adsorbent mass, said horizontal wall and said upper dome defining a volume; 
 a mass of solid ballast material resting upon said generally horizontal wall; and 
 a calibrated aperture formed in said horizontal wall thereby providing fluid communication between said inner chamber and said ballast material. 
 
     
     
       11. An apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a mass of solid low density material over said ballast material, said mass of low density material taking up a majority of said volume, the low density material having a density lower than that of said ballast material.